Medieval Sourcebook:
Niccolo Machiavelli: The Prince [excerpts], 1513
Niccolo Machiavelli, a diplomat in the pay of the Republic of Florence, wrote The
Prince in 1513 after the overthrow of the Republic forced him into exile. It is
widely regarded as one of the basic texts of Western political science, and
represents a basic change in the attitude and image of government.
That Which Concerns a Prince on the Subject of the Art of War
The Prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for
his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that
belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those
who are born princes, but it often enables men to rise from a private station to
that rank. And, on the contrary, it is seen that when princes have thought more
of ease than of arms they have lost their states. And the first cause of your
losing it is to neglect this art; and what enables you to acquire a state is to be
master of the art. Francesco Sforza, though being martial, from a private person
became Duke of Milan; and the sons, through avoiding the hardships and
troubles of arms, from dukes became private persons. For among other evils
which being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised, and this is one of
those ignominies against which a prince ought to guard himself, as is shown
later on.
Concerning Things for Which Men, and Especially Princes, are Blamed
It remains now to see what ought to be the rules of conduct for a prince toward
subject and friends. And as I know that many have written on this point, I expect
I shall be considered presumptuous in mentioning it again, especially as in
discussing it I shall depart from the methods of other people. But it being my
intention to write a thing which shall be useful to him to apprehends it, it
appears to me more appropriate to follow up the real truth of a matter than the
imagination of it; for many have pictured republics and principalities which in
fact have never been known or seen, because how one lives is so far distant
from how one ought to live, that he who neglects what is done for what ought
to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation; for a man who wishes
to act entirely up to his professions of virtue soon meets with what destroys him
among so much that is evil.
.
Each person in your group will have
a role. Read your role and take
notes on the reading as directed to
prepare for a group discussion.
1.Discussion Leader: You are
responsible for discovering key
elements in the reading and
coming up with a list of analytical
questions for group discussion.
What did the text make you think
about? What are the main ideas of
the reading? What is the historical
significance? What questions
should you ask to help you
comprehend this primary source
(can include confusing vocab)
2. Polisher: Identify 2-3 important
passages (one from each
paragraph) in the reading section
and lead your group members in a
discussion of the passages. The
passages should be interesting,
confusing, important. Your notes
should include why you selected
these passages and 1 question to
ask the group about each passage.
3.Linker: Your job is to connect the
reading with what you know about
the time period of the Renaissance
and with today. As you read, write
your questions and connections
down in your notes. Consider:
What links can you make between
the reading and the time period,
class lessons, current events?
What questions do you have about
how the text relates to the time
period?
4.Summarizer: Your job is to
create a graphic organizer that
summarizes the main points of the
reading. You need to make the
organizer easy for the rest of the
group to see as you explain it to
them. Think about: What are the
most important ideas in the
reading? Why are they so
important? What is the main idea
of this reading selection? What
questions would you see on an
exam about this reading?
Hence, it is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do
wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity. Therefore, putting
on one side imaginary things concerning a prince, and discussing those which
are real, I say that all men when they are spoken of, and chiefly princes for being
more highly placed, are remarkable for some of those qualities which bring
them either blame or praise; and thus it is that one is reputed liberal, another
miserly...; one is reputed generous, one rapacious; one cruel, one
compassionate; one faithless, another faithful.... And I know that every one will
confess that it would be most praiseworthy in a prince to exhibit all the above
qualities that are considered good; but because they can neither be entirely
possessed nor observed, for human conditions do not permit it, it is necessary
for him to be sufficiently prident that he may know how to avoid the reproach
of those vices which would lose him his state...
Concerning Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether it is Better to be Loved than
Feared
Upon this a question arises: whether it is better to be loved than feared or
feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but,
because it is difficult to unite them in one person, it is much safer to be feared
than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with. Because this is to
be asserted in general of men, that they are ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly,
covetous, and as long as you successed they are yours entirely; they will offer
you their blood, property, life, and children, as is said above, when the need is
far distant; but when it approaches they turn against you. And that prince who,
relying entirely on their promises, has neglected other precautions, is ruined;
because friendships that are obtained by payments, and not by nobility or
greatness of mind, may indeed be earned, but they are not secured, and in time
of need cannot be relied upon; and men have less scruple in offending one who
is beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation
which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their
advantage; but fear preserved you by a dread of punishment which never fails.
Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win
love, he avoids hatred; because he can endure very well being feared whilst he
is not hated, which will always be as long as he abstains from the property of his
citizens and subjects and from their women.
Critical Thinking Question:
Why was Machiavelli’s advice to leaders appropriate for the time period of the
Renaissance?